Jordan and Israel sign a peace treaty

The Clash and the Stakes

On October 26, 1994, Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Prime Minister Abdelsalam al-Majali signed the Treaty of Peace Between the State of Israel and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The ceremony took place at the southern border crossing of Arabah, a location in the Arava valley north of Eilat. This agreement formally ended the state of war that had persisted between the two nations since the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. By establishing mutual diplomatic relations, the treaty marked a significant shift in regional dynamics. It was not merely a cessation of hostilities but a comprehensive framework for future interaction between the two states.

Jordan became the second Arab country to sign a peace accord with Israel, following Egypt’s agreement in 1979. The treaty addressed specific disputes over land and water rights, which had long complicated relations between the neighbors. It also provided for broad cooperation in tourism and trade, aiming to build economic ties alongside political stability. Both countries were obligated to prevent their territory from being used as a staging ground for military strikes by a third country. This clause added a layer of security cooperation to the broader peace framework, ensuring that the agreement had tangible operational implications for regional defense.

Reports From the Front

The path to this final signature was marked by earlier, unsuccessful attempts at reconciliation. In 1987, Israeli foreign affairs minister Shimon Peres and King Hussein secretly tried to arrange a peace agreement. Their proposal involved Israel conceding the West Bank to Jordan, a framework that was never consummated due to the objection of Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Shamir. The following year, Jordan abandoned its claim to the West Bank in favor of a peaceful resolution between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization.

U.S. president Bill Clinton played a pivotal role in the final stages of the negotiation process. He pressured King Hussein to start peace negotiations and promised that Jordan’s debts would be forgiven. This diplomatic push helped secure Jordan’s commitment to the accord. Prior to the final signing, Rabin, Hussein, and Clinton had already signed the Washington Declaration in Washington, D.C., on July 25, 1994. That declaration stated that Israel and Jordan had ended the official state of enmity and would begin negotiations to achieve a just and lasting peace. The October ceremony served as the formal culmination of these prior diplomatic steps.

The Military and Political Fallout

The signing ceremony itself was a highly choreographed event that drew significant international attention. President Bill Clinton attended the proceedings and added his signature to the treaty as a witness, a gesture that underscored the American role in facilitating the agreement. During the ceremony, Clinton addressed the audience, stating that peace between Jordan and Israel was no longer a mirage. He also noted his satisfaction with the response from Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, linking the regional diplomatic momentum to the broader context of the Oslo Accords. The presence of foreign dignitaries served as a show of international solidarity against Arab hard-liners who opposed the treaty, highlighting the diplomatic risks and rewards of the moment.

The physical setting of the ceremony in the Arava valley was marked by specific ceremonial elements designed to symbolize the new era. The event included prayers, a 21-gun salute, and the release of 10,000 brightly colored balloons into the air. President Ezer Weizman of Israel, a former fighter pilot, was present and shook hands with King Hussein, creating a tableau of harmony between the two leaders. Rabin, who had fought two wars against Jordan, spoke directly to Israeli and Jordanian mothers giving birth on that day, using the phrase "Shalom, salaam, peace" to bridge the cultural and linguistic divide. These specific interactions and rituals provided a human dimension to the formal legal document being signed.

How the Balance of Power Shifted

The treaty did not merely stop fighting; it established specific mechanisms for cooperation in tourism and trade, as well as protocols for managing land and water disputes. By obligating both nations to prevent their territory from being used for third‑party military strikes, the agreement created a tangible security architecture that went beyond simple non‑belligerency.

The signing on October 26, 1994, represented the culmination of a complex diplomatic process that involved secret negotiations, public declarations, and international pressure. From the failed 1987 proposal to the Washington Declaration of July 1994, each step built the foundation for the final accord. The treaty's provisions for broad cooperation and the specific obligations regarding military staging grounds provided a structured path for future interaction. This agreement marked a definitive shift in the relationship between the two states, moving from a history of war to a formalized partnership grounded in legal and diplomatic commitments.

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